DIY Magnetic Algae cleaner

[ciaus]

I would have sworn I saw a reference to making a magnetic algae cleaner somewhere in the forums....but I can seem to locate it.

So.....
Where would one obtain the larger magnets?
What recommendations do people have for some sort of a rubberized coating on the magnets?

TIA

Ciaus

[redbelly]

You can actually get magnets with a rubberized coating already on them.
This would probably be your safest bet.

What size tank is this for?

[ciaus]

You can actually get magnets with a rubberized coating already on them.
This would probably be your safest bet.  What size tank is this for?

My 70...I know I can buy Mag Floats and other commercially available units but I wanted to see, if like so many things it can be done for much less money, and just a little creative effort.

Ciaus

[redbelly]

Yeah you can certainly build one cheaper. There is no question about that.

When the magnet disconnects inside the tank and sinks to the bottom its a real PITA.
So if you build one yourself make sure it floats!

The large rubberized magnetic plates though are like $15 each. So 2 of these will be $30, which is the same price as a mag float...

[JetJumper]

My 70...I know I can buy Mag Floats and other commercially available units but I wanted to see, if like so many things it can be done for much less money, and just a little creative effort.

Ciaus

ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/For-Fish-Aquarium-Magnetic-Powered-Brush-Cleaner_W0QQitemZ270561749075QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efebca853#ht_2573wt_1165

I got one of these for the hell of it.  It works for glass that is under 12mm thick.  I tried it on my 12mm thick tank, no luck.  but 6mm glass works great.

[redbelly]

Does this one float?

[ciaus]

Does this one float?

Description says it does...

[JetJumper]

The one from ebay.  Yes it does.

[ordi260]

Bought a couple of them off ebay about a year ago...they are blue...no brand on it, they are just fine...mine does float too

[Contains Moose]

Buying from Ebay does not constitute DIY

[Hookup]

Buying from Ebay does not constitute DIY

Someone is reading my mind... LOL...   It's got to be hard to DIY things as they get down in price... A noble effort...

FYI, a hard-drive has powerful magnets in it.  If you have some old busted harddrive you can scam the magnets out of them for 0$!

[JetJumper]

Someone is reading my mind... LOL...   It's got to be hard to DIY things as they get down in price... A noble effort...

FYI, a hard-drive has powerful magnets in it.  If you have some old busted harddrive you can scam the magnets out of them for 0$!

I will come back to this post in a while, but I will make a DIY one.  I have Rare earth magnets at home from my highschool science project of a model Maglev Train. 

[JetJumper]

found the ones I have.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32065&cat=1,42363,42348

3/4" x 1/8"  22 lb